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Catherine Connolly Takes Office on Day of Pomp and Celebration
The newly inaugurated president has vowed to transform Ireland into a “nation that lives up to its ideals” by advocating for diversity, the Irish language, and the legacy of decolonisation.
During her swearing-in speech, Connolly outlined a leftwing alternative contrasting with the mainstream political consensus.
“Many assumed that it was too great a leap, that our ideas were too far out – at odds with the dominant discourse,” she remarked, referencing her landslide victory.
“Through nationwide dialogues, however, it became clear that the mainstream message did not represent people’s values and concerns. Repeatedly, people spoke of how it tended to suppress, to marginalise, to categorise, to exclude and to hinder independent thought.”
On a day marked by pomp at Dublin Castle, the 68-year-old former barrister declared that as Ireland’s new head of state, she would amplify diverse perspectives and would advance environmental measures, acceptance, and a Gaelic revival.
“Voters have made their choice and have given their president a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a renewed nation, a republic worthy of its name where everyone is valued and differences are celebrated, where eco-friendly policies are urgently implemented, and where a home is a fundamental human right.”
The presidential race outcome surprised traditional parties. The non-aligned progressive candidate united opposition leftwing parties, energised young voters, and defeated the ruling party’s candidate by winning 64% of the vote.
Though the presidency is a largely ceremonial post, the previous officeholder had stretched the constraints, turning it into a platform for issues—a practice the new president will likely uphold.
In a venue filled with government figures, diplomats, and other dignitaries, the president lamented “the acceptance of conflict and genocide.”
Praising Ireland’s neutrality—a potential source of friction with the government—she said: “Our experience of colonisation and struggle against historic hardships gives us a lived understanding of dispossession, famine, and conflict and a call for national leadership.”
Connolly also hailed the Good Friday agreement and cited article 3 of Ireland’s constitution that supports national unity with consent. One political party declined to send a representative but clarified it was not a deliberate omission.
Switching to Irish, she reaffirmed a pledge to elevate Irish in the official home. “Irish will not be spoken in a low voice in the Áras, it will have primary status as a working language.”
No country can voice its aspirations if the native language used forebears was extinguished, she commented. “It has been relegated without sufficient respect or recognition. The hearts of our people were dampened when they were made to stop using their own language. It’s a language that expresses feelings and sentiment with each phrase.”
A artillery tribute was fired as the new president was formally invested.
Debra Briggs
A passionate photographer and educator with over a decade of experience in capturing life's moments through the lens.
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